[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17344-17345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ALLEN LEFKO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a longtime 
community and business leader in Jackson County, MO, will be receiving 
the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the Truman Heartland Community 
Foundation annual gala dinner, ``A Salute to Hometown Heroes.'' Mr. 
Allen Lefko has demonstrated a strong commitment to the area and its 
economic development and has helped to ensure a brighter future for all 
residents and businesses.
  Mr. Lefko has developed and maintained an excellent reputation 
through the years by his many achievements. He is the founder, 
President, and CEO of Noland Road Bank; Chairman of the Board and CEO 
of the Bank of Grain Valley and Grain Valley Bancshares, Incorporated; 
President of the Independence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; 
President of the Independence Rotary Club; member of the Independence 
Regional Health Center Board of Trustees; founder, President, and 
Treasurer of the Association for Industrial Development for 
Independence; President of the Suburban Banker Association and the 
Kansas City Clearing House Association; President of the Grain Valley 
Economic Development Council; and Choices program sponsor and 
instructor.
  Mr. Lefko has volunteered much of his time to the communities of 
eastern Jackson County. He has served on many YMCA and Boy Scout 
committees and has been engaged in such important committees and boards 
as the Grain Valley Arts and Beautification Council Fund, Grain Valley 
Senior Citizens Nutrition Program Fund, and the Association for 
Industrial Development for Independence Scholarship Fund. Mr. Lefko has 
also participated in the I-Share Campaign, the selection of Rotary/City 
of Independence Teacher's Truman Scholarship Fund recipients, 
Independence and Grain Valley Chambers of Commerce, the Board of 
Directors of the Grain Valley Assistance Council, and he was an 
auctioneer for the Grain Valley Assistance Council annual fund drive.
  Mr. Speaker, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing 
Allen Lefko all the best. We thank him for over 40 years of dedicated 
service to eastern Jackson County.

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